Artist Interviews Jennifer Hall Interview

Jennifer Hall is a Chicago based singer who has released a string of powerful singles over the course of 2021 and 2022. Features co-director Mick R. caught up with her to talk about her upcoming EP, the inspiration for her recent singles, her work with producer Noah Leger of Disappears, and her many past collaborations. 

"I have been incredibly lucky to have music as an outlet, both in listening and creating...  it's been a wonderful escape and a great friend in tough times." - Jennifer Hall

Production by Mick R. 

Photo credit: Matthew Hollis

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Artist Interviews Post Animal Interview

This week, Features contributor Lee Gomez speaks with keyboardist and guitarist Jake Hirshland of Chicago-based Post Animal. They discuss Post Animal's live album, Levitation Sessions, recorded at a transformed-with-tracts-of-real-grass Sleeping Village during the pandemic, patronizing King Spa in his downtime, and experimenting with staying the course musically on their newest album, Love Gibberish.

"We're still pushing and trying to get to that next echelon." - Jake Hirshland

Produced by J. Kyle White-Sullivan.

Photo Credit: Kevin Allen.

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Artist Interviews Makaya McCraven Interview

Makaya McCraven is an influential composer, producer and jazz drummer who calls Chicago home. For his most recent album Deciphering The Message, he was granted access to the Blue Note archives and, utilizing their library, created a record that combines classic jazz samples with fresh recordings produced by his band. Features co-director Mick R caught up with this local luminary to talk about the story behind the record and what he hopes the listener takes away from their experience of it. 

Deciphering The Message is available through Blue Note. 

Makaya McCraven will be performing for two nights at Lincoln Hall in Chicago on May 27 & 28, 2022. 

 "All of the work that I do as a musician, as much as it is my professional output, I try to maintain a student of music and look at every opportunity as a chance to grow and learn something as an artist." - Makaya McCraven

Produced by Mick R. 

Image Credit: Nolis Anderson 

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Artist Interviews FURY Interview

This week, Features contributor Marjorie Alford speaks with Chicago rapper, FURY. They discuss the genesis of her performing name and her creative background, winning the Chicago Works Community Challenge Grant of $1.5 million which will add amenities to Columbus Park in Austin, hosting Lyrics & Libations weekly open mic and how the next generation of artists reinvigorates her, and her forthcoming EP, FURY Revolution.

"I got tired of not showing myself to the world, so "FURY Revolution" is just seeing how I can get my music to tie into bettering the place where I live. I feel like that's what you want, you don't just want to create things. I can rap, I'm talented, but it's more than that. What I love is that people get excited around me, they wanna show me they can rap. [...] How do I get back to where I first started when I was new, I was hungry? Seeing all the people that are up-and-coming, that is what gets me reinvigorated, that's what gets me excited all over again. And I think a lot of us have to find how to get back to that place we once were where it was all new and exciting." - FURY

Produced by Brian Szpak

Photo Credit: Samantha Jordan

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Artist Interviews Daydream Review & Smooth Rogers Interview

Earlier in 2022, Zac Bron of Smooth Rogers remixed one of the songs off of Chicago local psychedelic rock band Daydream Review's self-titled EP. The remix of "Yesterday and Tomorrow" brought out some fun and funky space disco and was released as a separate single. Daydream Review's Elijah Montez and Zach are long-time collaborators in various projects, and Features Co-Director Mick R caught up with both of them to talk about their most recent single and get some insights into how they work together. 

Both Daydream Review's self-titled EP and the "Yesterday and Tomorrow" remix single were self-released via Bandcamp. 

"The way that I talk about the EP with other people is each song is almost like trying on different hats... [and] Zach has a really great expertise in making things sound funky almost like without even trying." - Elijah Montez

Production by Mick R. 

Image courtesy of the artists. 

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